Cutting machine



Nov. 6,'1951 F. c. LANGE 2,574,269

CUTTING MACHINE Filed April ze, 1949 s sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

NOV. 6, 1951 F C, LANGE 2,574,269

CUTTING MACHINE Filed April 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 N0V 6 l951- F. c. LANGE 12,574,269

CUTTING MACHINE Filed April 26, 1949 5 sheets-sheet 4 157 ]V @5tlgf-/M/v/f L ANGE ATTE RN EY A d INVENTOR.

Nov. 6, 1951 F. c. LANGE 2,574,269

2CUTTING MACHINE I Filed April 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

y FA/V/fa LANGE ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1951 -CI'JTTING MACHINE [Frank c. Lange," Racine, Wis.; assi fBadg'er Shirt Cbmpany, Racine,

ration of Wisconsin' "I 112 C laims.

This invention relates to a "cuttir'ig machine, and more particularly tcv a machine for cutting or trimming textiles, leather,l orarticles' of'wear# ingapparel. 'l The objectv ofthe vinvention is to provide a machine which has an electrically driven rotary cutting knife Mthat moves forwardly under mechanical control to cut or trim collars, cuffs, 'and other articles evenly and precisely.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a cutting machine having a motor driven cutting knife which is mounted for movement on a supporting table to selectively trim articles of ap.- parel, and wherein' a mechanism' isprovided for Varying the position of the cutting `knife so that it moves back andforth under the control ofthe operator. f"

Still another object of the invention is to provide a trimming or .cutting machine which is easy to operate, and which is constructed so that a person can operate the'machine withabsolute safety, the Various parts of the machine being arranged so that the device occupies a minimum ofspace.

A further object ofthe invention'is to'provide a machine for cuttingo'r trimming articles such as collars or cuffs 'and which includes a motor driven rotary cutting knife that moves under the control of the voperator to cut or trim the articles to a desired contour, andwhich includes a mech'- anism that picks up the Aarticles after'they have been cut and deposits the articles in a receptacle, the trimmed portion of the article vbeing separated and moved to a convenient'"receptacle*i Other objects and advantageswill Abecornejepparent during the course of theV followingdeg scription. f j` In the accompanying drawings, f ormingaA part of this application, and in whichlike numerals are used to designate'like parts 'throughout'the same: Figure 1 isa perspective view of the cutting machine, 'according to the present invention;A Figure 2 isfa top'plan. view of th e"mach ine; Figure 3 is a frontelevational view of'them'achine; Figure 4 is an enlarged'se'ctional view taken ontheline 4-4 ofFigure 2 Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top .plan view of the machine, with the protecting shield removed; 1

Figure 6 is an enlargedfragmentary top'plan View of the Apick-.upm'echanisrrnv j, I

Figure .7 is afragmentaryend elevational View rior to The Wis., 'a corpo'- Apbummn Anni-26,1949, sealfiyc. 89,727. lf.-

Figure 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the pick-up mechanism; ""'Figure 9 is anenlargedtop plan View ofthe motordriven rotary'cutting knife;

vFigure 1 0 is' a fragmentary front'elevational viewofthe motor driven cutting knife, showing the mechanism for adjusting the depth'of cutting;and

Figure 1l is a fragmentary rear View of a modified cutting machine.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the'numeral designates a 'table or bench"wlfiich'may be f abricated'of anysuitable material. The table 30' includes 'a plurality of vertically ldisposed spaced parallel legs"3 l,there being a horizontally disposed Hoor platel 32 secured to the lowerA ends of the pair offront legs 3l and 3|. A'horizo'ntally disposed platform 33 is supported on top of the vertically disposed legs and is secured'thereto,'there being a rectangular cutout 34v arranged in theplatform 33, and the cutout 34 extends from the left side thereof. l

The lower ends ofthe vertically disposed legs 3| each have a shoe 35secured thereto by-a suitable securing'element, such as a rivet 36, and the shoes 35 add stability to the machine. VSuitable horizontally disposed braces 37 and 38 extend between the frontand rear legs of the ma'- chine for maintaining the legs in spaced parallel relation. y

Projecting from the-front of the machine is a horizontally disposed shelf 39 and the-shelf-'39 is adaptedV to support articles, such as collars 40, prior to their beingcut or trimmed lby themachine. Arranged adjacent the front of the cutting `machine and supported by the latter' is a chute 4f which serves to convey the trimmedA or scrap portions ofthe articles, such as the collars 40, away from the machine for deposit in a' suitable receptacle., AThe upperjend of the chute 4l is open-the top edge portion 4|", of the back wall'4l is rearwardly and upwardly inclinedv to project beyond the inner side edge of a baseplate l2, supportedon-top ofthe front side of the platform 33, thus providing a throat into which 'the trimmed portions ofthe material drop as the latter is cut.= An inclined spout 42 depends from the l'ower end of the chute 4I and has 'its-lower end open for the A discharge'therethrough of the trimmed portions of the collars.

vArranged on the left side of the machine,-`ad'- `jacent the Vfront end thereof, isa receptacle 43 for receiving the articles after they have'be'en Vtrimmed or cutby the machine.` A mechanism isA prc'iviz'i'ed for automatically picking upf thatelevational 3 ticles, such as collars and depositing them in the receptacle 43 after they have been trimmed to thereby free the operators hands so that the operator can be placing another article, such as a collar, in position to be cut. This pick-up mechanism is described in detail later in this application. 'Ihe receptacle or bin 43 Iis, supported by the tablero and the Lr'e epatc1ein: includes anonzontally'lisposed bottin plate' 44,' there being a vertically disposed back plate 45 secured to the rear edge of the bottom plate 44. A plurality 6i vertically disposed spaced parallel rods46s'n10'- ject upwardly from the bottom plate 44 and the rods 46 coact with the back v'platefl-S Etojhcgli trimmed articles therebetween. Ahrizoitally disposed support member 41 is mounted for vertical adjustable movement in the ireceptele. 43 and the support member 41 can be usedtqifacilitate the removal of the cut or trimmed articles from the receptacle 43.` A v. v

ounteu for l'mor/euren,ciaionfrthe tabienis .a motor k48 which is ladapted"to fb'econnectedto asource'of electrical'energy'land the mot'r48 rotatesa drive 'shaft 49. 'Mount'ed `o`n tlierive for Vvertical"adj'ustrient on a plurality "f headed bo-lts56, thev boltsf56 projectingthrough'lthebae plate-54. A wing nut 51 isarrang'ed-i'n threaded ,engagement with'each'olfdthe'bolts156, and cirsupposed @the bolts .6 6 and interposed bietween the bracket 55 and the-base plate 54`is a consuman- Tofwsitionthe motor 48 at 'anydesired elejva ion and consequently arrange theV lrnrifepySULfor a desired depthof cutting, the operator rotates .the wing ,nuts 51 on thebolts 56mm the proper `dir ectifm to thereby vary ihejtensign 0n the springs 58 and conseguently, position the knifei 50 at the desired elevation. An on and oir-switch 59 issupported on-the platform 33 so that the motor 4 8 can be electrically yenergized as desired.

Secured to'the bottom of the base plate 454,-as by welding, lis apair of jspacedparallelbearing blocks 60 and, 60', Figure 10, andthe bearing blocks 60 and 60 slidablyreeeive a pair of spaced parallel -rods 6| -and 62 which serve as tracksA or rails. for the motor driven -cuttingknife as the latter moves back and forth across the-table. The right ends of the rods 6I and 62 are, securely-positioned in an end member6r3, and a `boltandgnut .assembly 64 pivotallyconnects theend mer'nber 83 to the platform 33'of the table so that'the-pair of, rods 6| and 62 are free'to rotate'abouta vertical axis.

Arranged on the otherrorleft endofeachof the rods 6| and 62 is va Lsmall, shccl; absorber which serves Ato cushion or lessen lthe impact -of the motor driven cutting knife during its` movement from the rightsideoij the table to` theleft side thereof. Each of the-,shock absorbers'omprises@ 9011 spring 65.;Which i lleeed .Qn Vthe rods 6| and 62,and asi'iitable nut A6`| is'`a r 4rmd in threaded engagement 'with the 11d- .jacent end ofthe rodsjl4 and'62 tdmaitanfthe parts in assembled relation.

fpllow the predetermined path of the template '$69, a pair of rollers 10 and 1| are carried by the Filiasswvredihrew were@ rarest-msm. im! the latter. and 'the'bracket 55 'is 'mntu baseplate 54, and the rollers 1|) and 1| are arranged on opposite sides of the template 69. For

"lgisfsuppot'dnthe platform 33, the Sharpener 12includinga` iroi suitable sharpening stones guide member 14 is secured to the front of the platform 33 by rivets or screws 15 to facilitate the proper'placem'entof the` -articles being 'ctin themachine, itibeln'g-'Qsipprted on a horifzor'italbas'e. plate/"12, cn l tcp ofith'e frnt side ofthe'platform 33.

For causing moyementof the motor-drl'i'f'nfctting knife/50 frofm"v efs'ideofthe table to the other, a l'ever"16isj bactuated o1f movefd by' the op'ratofskrie. 4 -Thef lever' 16jmay `havea vfelt; or 'cloth pad ther'enA tojenable the operator to actuate ,themachineinjcrnioi-t.` VHIhe `lever -1li is 'arranged atfthe frontiiftyhe"machine'and is secufedi'to anni: 111 v /nienL ai pivqtauy conne-efec to 'Y the rar portion' or the "tablefl member 'lanas he ofiitslepdsjpivitauy jconnjectedrothe link 11,"whil'e apinUpivotally connec'tsthe ot Mer' end" f 'the :liber `18j`to` :an arm `58|), fthe ar`m "'lavlng "its `uppr"'rid plvtallyv connected to a bracketi by means of a pin 32. fThe'b'raclmt al is scudjmfthe ude'rsrrae Vf the piatform `33, Figiie`4. fA 'has oneof its ends'cpnnectd td-uieiink'iigasarsa" (Figure-1) garages 1S Connected to thelink 1*-...lbe @..Qunterwesht v99. coasts .with the Spring ,=83.,.Snr.ir1s85. andv with a Spring HIMO return r @brew GhemQtQrdrii/el cutting knife 50 from right to left after thepressure on the knee lever 16 has been released.

A pick-up mechanism is provided for picking up the collars 40, or other articles, after the articles have been out for depositing the cut ar-.

ticles into the receptacle 43. This pick-up mechanism is adapted lto be actuated Aby'the same mechanism that moves the cutter` 50 from side to side on the machine, and further or additional operation of the pick-up mechanismisaccomplished by means of a foot pedal as hereinafter described. A horizontallydisposed'brace |0`,|` is secured to the legsV of the table 30'and`fa pin"|02 pivotally connects a lever ll'3'to'they brace" '|0| A member |04 has oneof its ends pivotally connected to the upper end of the' lever by"a pin |05, 'and the other end of the member |014 is `pivotally connected to the arm 80 by'inea'ns 'f `a pin |06, Figure 4. Arranged belowv the' member4 1| 0 4 is a guide bracket |01 which has one ofitsfends connected to the lower end'o'f the .lever |03 by'a pin |08, and the member lll'l'ser'v'es I'n'aintain i the arms 80 and 04 in alignment. s V A link |09 has one of its ends pivotally connected to the lowerend of the lever |03 by means of a pin ||0, while the other end ofthe link vV09 is pivotally connected to an arm ||2 by'means of a pin pivotally connected to a brace I3 by means of a pin ||4. A iixed brace ||6 is secured to the machine, and a coil spring' extends betweenthe brace ||6 and the pin ||4. '1 Arranged to the rear of the back plate 45 4of the receptacle 43 is 'a pair of spaced end blocks I8 and |9 which support therebetween a pair of horizontally disposed spaced parallel rods '|20 and |2|, and the rods |20 and I2| serve as rails or tracks for slidably supporting a portion of the pick-up mechanism. Arranged below the lowermost rod |2| and extending from one end of the machine to the other is a bar |22 which has one of its ends pivotally connected to a leg 3| by means of a pin |23. The bar |22 is adapted to be raised'b'y'actuation of the foot pedal |24 which is pivotally supported by a pair of brackets 25 that are secured to the base plate 32. A vertically disposed arm |26 has its lower end pivotally connectedto the foot pedal |24 by means ofa pin |21'while connected to the upper end ci the arm |26 is a cross piece |28. Connected to the ends of the cross piece |28 is a pair of vertically disposed spaced parallel eye bolts |29 and |29', and the upper ends of the eye bolts |29 and |29 are connected to a frame |30. The frame |30 has its rear end pivotally supported by means of a pin |3| which projects through a bracket |32 and the bracket |32 is secured by suitable securing elements |33 to the platform 33. Y Carried by the front Vof the frame |30 is Aan arcuate guard, or shield |34 which is preferably fabricated of a transparent plastic such as Flexiglas. Thus, upon a' properly directed pressure' Aon the foot pedal |24, the shield |34 can be raised or lowered in order to allow positioning of the next article to be cut in the machine. The shield |34 of course serves to protect the operator of the machine from being injured bythe high speed rotary cutting knife 50. Additional protection is afforded the operator by means of a guard plate |35 which has its lower end secured'to the platform 33.

Aso

The lower end of the arm i |2 is ',.ilnrieures i627v and; there is Shown in detail the vrconstruction ofjthe pick-up fingers for grasping 4the articles, such as collars 40, after the collars have been cut flor removal to the bin 43. Thus, there is provided a backing plate |36 which slidablyreceives the rods |20 and |2| therein, and secured to the plate |36 is a body member |31., Connected to the top of the body member |3|1r by av bolt and nut assembly |38 is a lower jaw |39. An upper jaw or iinger |46 is mounted for movement towards and away from the lower jaw |39 to grasp and hold the cut article therebetween. A bracket |4| has its lower end pivo tallyV connected to the lower jaw orfinger |39 by alpin |42 and the upper portion of the bracket |4| kis secured to the upper finger or jaw |40 by means of a screw |43. A coil spring |44 has its oppositeends connected to the bracket |4| and to the bolt and nut assembly |38 for normally urgingthe ringer into its open position away from the lower finger or jaw |39 as shown 4in Figure 8. A ,f

For moving the jaw |40 towards the jaw |39, an L-shaped member is slidably or adjustably connected to the member |31 by means of brackets |46. Secured to the member |45 is a cam ,|41 which is arranged in engagement with, or in Contact with, the upper surface of the bar |22. The upper end of the member |45 is shaped tovdene a transverse or hook portion |48 thatis arranged just below and in engagement with a rectangular lug |49 that is secured to the upper surface of the finger |40 as by welding. .Projecting forwardly from the cross piece |28 is a bar or rod |50 vwhich is arranged in frictional engagement with the lower end of the bar 22 so,l .thatrwhen the arm; |26 moves upwardly .the cross piece |28 is also raised ,to thereby raise therod |50 which lifts'or pivotsthe bar` |22.

This upward movementof the bar |22 raises the L-shaped member |45 upwardly since the cam ,|41 is arranged in engagement with the bar |22 and as the member |45 moves up, it'causes the finger or jaw 40 to move towards the lower jaw |39. A coil spring|5| extends between the pin |42 anda pin |52 which projects into the member |31 so that the position of the lower jaw |39 canlbe adjusted as desired. Referring to Figure 11, there is shown a slightly vmodied pick-up mechanism which includes an arcuate bar |53 that serves the same purpose as the previously described bar |22. Thus, upward movement of the bar |53 causes the upper ringer |40 tomove towards the lower nger |39 lso that an article is gripped therebetween. Thearcuate shape of the bar |53 insures that the pick-up fingers will follow a correct path in 'order to properly grasp and releasev the cut articles.

The'operation of the machine is' as follows:

First, thefswitch r59 is actuated to energize the f motor 148. ',The'n, with'the operator sitting in frontl'of the machine facing shelf 39, Figurel, and with "the cutting knife 50 being drivenl or rotated at a very high speed by the, motor 48, the Joperator. exerts a pressure on the lever 16, thus moving the lever '|6 towards the right end ofthe machine. This movement of the lever 'E6 results in a counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the arm about the pin 32 and this movementof the arm 80 in turn results in or causes the arm 841,0 pivot in a clockwise direction about the pin 9| .to thereby move the motor driven cutterutowards theright side of themachine.v

imm

its the carne-time that the fmto'r -dnven cutting k'nife m'oves to --th'e iilitfslide fof lthe finachine. the plc'kiup ymechanism -Twill "in'ovefto the extreme leftfe'nd 'of the machine adjacent the 'outerfe'nd of fthe Ywrecel'itacle 43. This 'movement bf the pickqip mechanism is accomplished 'since l'the lever j| U3 isicaused to-pivota clockwise fdirection "about the pin |02 and `vthis d:Irl'c'llvenent"01' th'el'ever 103 results 'fin afcbunter-clockwise piviotal movement ofthe arm |TI2 about the `pin '|'|="4 Now, withthe *cutter cuttingknif'e 5U'a`t the right side of the imachine, pressure is exerted bythe operatorsifoot on the pedal f|24fto thereby'raise the arm v"|26 which li'fts the cross piece f|28-and `this fu-pward movement of the cross -piece 123 1re- Sults in `the `*bar f|22 'also being raised. Thus, since the cross '-piec'e |28 is raised, 'the eye fbolts i!! and |129" are moved upwardly to therebypivet the transparent shield |34 into ithe position shown Liri Figure "1 'so that J'the :operator *can neadilylplace the collar or -other artic'le tobe trimmed, in position. Then, upon release `Yof "the pressure on fth'epedal |24 the shield 34 will move down into .clamping relation Awith respect to the 'collar I40 `so 'that the collar will remain Vimmobile during the cutting thereof. Next, the pressure on 'the 'knee lever 'lB is lreleased so that the springs B3, 1D0, '95 'and the -counterweiglit 33 draw the cutting :knife from the right side of the imac'hine (Figure l) lfto fthe left side thereof whereby the .collars oroth'e'r articles yare trimmed evenly aand zpre'cisely. the motor driven cutting `knife `fis 'guided on the 'rails or rods v6| and 82 bymeans lof the template 69, the collars can be 'cut to any 'desired contour by simply'using a template B9 of the desired configuration.

After the collars 44|) have 'been cuit or 'trimmed by the knife .'50, .it will .be seen 'that the knife i540 is now at the extreme left :position on the 'platform 33 (Figure l) "and at the same timethe pick-up 'mechanism has movedfrom vthe left end of A'the receptacle 1li! to a position contiguous to the end -of the collar 40. Now, a downwardly directed pressure is exerted on the .foot ,pedal ward the lower vlinger Y|39 to grasp therebetween the cut `collar 40. Next, the cycle is repeated and the knee lever 1-6 is vmoved to the 'right reist sulting in the motor driven Vcutting knife 60 moving the right Vside of the machine as `previously described and also resulting in -fthe vpickup mechanism carrying the cut or trimmed articleto a position above Vthe receptacle 43. Now., upon actuation of .the pick-up mechanism, the nnger |40 is moved away from the lower linger |39, thereby releasing the cut collar .so that it fallsinto the receptacle 43. .'I'he trimmed portions or scraps thathave been cut by .the cutting knife fall into the chute 4| and can vbefdis charged into any suitable receptacle as desired.

From the foregoing, it .is apparent that a machine has been provided which is especially usefu'l in trimming or cuttingwearing apparel, textiles, or leather, and such articles can'b Vcut in any shape desired.V The depth of the cut can be regulated and the cutting vknife can Abe easily sharpened on the sharpening device 12. The operation is leasy and a person can operate the machine in absolute safety. It is tobe understood that other Aarrangements of the linkage v and leverage for actuating the pick-up mechamsm and for moving the Aknife can b e provided as desired. By using the-machine of the present invention, a plurality of articles, such as uars, .can be `quickly trimmed thereby making assassinats adenine mieles ervaringen? r'niilfquickly -and economically. The Ymachine is -afgarment, these pieces -must be `'evened up -or trimmed properly. Also, the collars require -a slight contour and -by using this machine, a great number Aof the collars can lbe so cut -or trimmed.

what Iclaim: l n. v Y, Y,

l. :A cutting machine comprising a jtable, tracks `rconnected to "said Ctable and mounted "for pivotal 'movement 'about a vertical axis, ja template supported by :said table, "and a movable 'cutting member -operatively connected 'to said template and mounte'd to travel 'along said tracks :to cut articles Ato 'adesired shape.

'2. `lnla'machine'of the 'class described, atabl'e, tracks supported on saidtable-and mounted for pivotal movement -about Aa 'vertical laxis, 'a template connected "to said table, a work perf-i forming l`member mounted for travel "along said tracks and operatively connected 'to said 1template 'where'by said z'nember'is "caused to 'follow 'apredeter'mined path.

3. Theinvention as 'defined 'in claim l, .with saidtable having an 'elongated 'opening and having said tracks extending lengthwise thereof, and said template mounted onsaid 'table at 'one sid'e of the opening, said opening allowing 'waste portions Vtrimnieid'fr'omthe cut ai"ticlesto`drop therethrough. .l

4. The invention 'as defined iin claim '1, ,with 'Said table Ihai/lligan elongated opening and having saidV tracks extending lengthwise thereof, la base .plate Slidably supported on 'said tracks and having a slotted .opening therein, said cutting memberb'eing c'irc'iilar and having a portion depending through said Yslotted opening, and an electric motor supported on said ybase plate and having saidcutting member mounted on the rotor shaft thereof.

`5. Theinvention as defined in claim l, with said table having an elongated opening and said tracks extending lengthwise of and slightly above the, same, Aand Ja chute supported beneath said table and having va throat 'underlying the path 'of Vtravel of said cutting member to receive waste portions trimmed off from the cut articles.

6. fTh'e invention 'as defined in 'claim l, with a power means Afor actuating said cutting member, manually operated means for moving said power means andthe cutting member along said tracks in one direction, and vautomatic means for mov-V ing said power means and thel cutting member along said tracks in the opposite direction upon the release of lsaid manually operated means.

'7. The invention as dened in claim l, with manually operatedmeans for moving said 'cutting member along said tracks in one direction 'and other means for automatically moving said cut` ting member along-said tracks inthe opposite dlection up'on the release of 'said jmanually operated means, said manually operated means being comprised in Aa' system of levers of which one is adapted tob'eactuated by la knee of the operator of the machine.

'8. Ifhe 'inventionjas defined in claim l, with a receiver for the rcut articles mounted at oneV end of vs'a'id table, and a pickup mechanismfor vremoving the dcut articles from the place of cutting' and depositing the same within said receiver.'

9. The invention as deiined in claim 1, with a receiver for the cut articles mounted at one end of said table and a pickup mechanism for removing the cut articles from the place of cutting to a position above said receiver, and manually operated means for releasing the cut articles from said pickup mechanism for the deposit of the same into the receiver.

10. The invention as defined in claim l, with a clampingr means mounted for vertical movements above and relatively to said table and manually operated means for lifting` said clamping means for the positioning of the material to be cut beneath the same, said clamping means moving downward to clamp the material in place on the table during the cutting operation and upon the release of said manually operated means.

11. The invention as dened in claim 1, with said table having an elongated opening spaced inwardly from and parallel to its front edge and said tracks extending lengthwise of and above the opening, a clamp bar supported for vertical movements above and relatively to said table at a transparent shield carried by said bar to pro- Y tect the operator of the machine from injury by said cutting member.

FRANK C. LANGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 729,964 Scherer June 2, 1903 1,154,924 Holub Sept. 28, 1915 1,472,895 Wegner Nov. 6, 1923 1,812,466 Jenkins June 30, 1931 1,986,791 Butts Jan. 8, 1935 

